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The Excellent Adventure Of Joan Of Arc: What Happened To Jane Wiedlin's Historical Babe?

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The portrayal of Joan of Arc in the 1989 classic Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure remains one of the film’s most delightfully absurd and memorable historical cameos. The character, a French heroine and Catholic saint, is plucked from 15th-century France by the time-traveling duo, Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted "Theodore" Logan, leading to a culture-clash comedy gold moment at the San Dimas Mall. As of December 19, 2025, the enduring legacy of this role continues to be celebrated, largely due to the unique casting choice that brought the Maid of Orléans to life: punk-rock royalty Jane Wiedlin.

The genius of the casting lies in the juxtaposition of a serious historical figure with a new wave icon, a creative decision that perfectly encapsulates the film's "most triumphant" spirit. Her scene, where she transforms a mundane aerobics class into a frenzied, sword-wielding workout session, is a touchstone of 80s comedy and a testament to the film's ability to make history "not so bogus."

Jane Wiedlin: The Rock Star Behind the Armor

The woman who brought the sword-wielding, yet devout, Joan of Arc to the big screen is an accomplished musician and actress. Jane Wiedlin's profile extends far beyond her brief but iconic movie role, establishing her as a significant figure in American music history.

Jane Wiedlin Biography Profile

  • Full Name: Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin
  • Date of Birth: May 20, 1958
  • Hometown: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
  • Primary Career: Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Actress
  • Famous For: Co-founding member, rhythm guitarist, and vocalist for the iconic New Wave band, The Go-Go’s.
  • Key Songs (Writer/Co-Writer): "Our Lips Are Sealed," "Rush Hour," "Head Over Heels."
  • Bill & Ted Role: Joan of Arc in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989).
  • Other Notable Acting Roles: The singing telegram girl in Clue (1985), providing voice work for animated series like Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated and The New Batman Adventures.
  • Solo Career: Released several solo albums, with her single "Rush Hour" being a major hit.

Wiedlin’s casting was a stroke of genius by the filmmakers. Known primarily as the rhythm guitarist for the groundbreaking all-female band The Go-Go’s, she brought a punk-rock energy and a distinct, almost ethereal look to the historical figure.

The Excellent Adventure of Joan: From France to the Mall

Joan of Arc is one of eight historical figures Bill and Ted—played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves—collect in their time-traveling phone booth (the "Excellent Adventure" itself) to complete their history report. Her introduction is brief but meaningful, showing her praying in 15th-century France before being whisked away.

The Iconic Aerobics Scene: A Culture Clash

Once brought to 1988 San Dimas, California, Joan’s storyline culminates in a brilliantly executed scene at the local mall. After being separated from the group, she stumbles upon an aerobics class. The scene unfolds as follows:

  • The Revelation: Mistaking the instructor's energetic commands for a divine calling or a battle strategy, Joan of Arc is immediately drawn to the high-energy workout.
  • The Takeover: Still clad in her 15th-century armor, she commandeers the class, turning the low-impact workout into a frenzied, sword-wielding, battle-ready calisthenics session.
  • The Subtext: The scene subtly plays on her historical identity as a devout Catholic who claimed to hear divine voices. Some analyses suggest she may have genuinely believed Bill and Ted’s appearance, along with the high-tech mall environment, was a form of angelic communication, giving her a sense of purpose in the modern world.

This sequence not only provides comic relief but also highlights the film's core theme: that history, when viewed through a fresh, anachronistic lens, can be fun and engaging. The image of the Maid of Orléans leading a group of spandex-clad Californians is a truly memorable cinematic moment.

The Historical Babes and the Bill & Ted Legacy

Joan of Arc, alongside Princess Joanna and Princess Elizabeth, was often grouped into the category of "historical babes" by the characters, a term that, while dated, reflects the film's lighthearted and often simplistic view of history. However, the film's enduring legacy is its ability to inspire curiosity about these historical figures.

The group of historical figures gathered by the Wyld Stallyns duo—including Socrates, Billy the Kid, Napoleon Bonaparte, Sigmund Freud, Ludwig van Beethoven, Genghis Khan, and Abraham Lincoln—form the core of the film’s plot. Joan’s unique contribution is her unwavering conviction and battle-ready spirit, which she applies to everything from aerobics to escaping jail.

Did Joan of Arc Return in Bill & Ted Face the Music?

Fans of the franchise were eager to see which of the original historical figures might return for the long-awaited third installment, Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020).

  • The Sequel Focus: While the film features the return of Bill and Ted’s wives (the Princesses) and the Grim Reaper, the focus for the new historical figures shifted primarily to musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Louis Armstrong, who are recruited to form the ultimate band.
  • Jane Wiedlin’s Absence: Jane Wiedlin did not reprise her role as Joan of Arc in a physical cameo in Bill & Ted Face the Music. Her character remains a triumphant part of the *Excellent Adventure* legacy, having fulfilled her destiny of helping Bill and Ted save the world through rock and roll.

Despite not appearing in the 2020 sequel, Jane Wiedlin’s portrayal of Joan of Arc remains a fan favorite. Her performance cemented the character’s place in pop culture history, proving that even a 15th-century French warrior can be a totally excellent aerobics instructor.

The Enduring Topical Authority of the Role

The role of Joan of Arc is a perfect example of how Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure achieved topical authority in the realm of historical comedy. By taking a figure known for her solemnity, courage, and tragic end, and placing her in the most ridiculous of 80s settings, the film created a unique cultural commentary.

The character of Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orléans, is an entity in herself, but the film’s version adds a layer of pop culture relevance that is instantly recognizable. The casting of Jane Wiedlin, a real-life rock star, adds to the meta-humor and the film's overall message: that all eras and personalities can come together for a most excellent purpose. This blending of high historical drama with low-brow comedy is why the "historical babes" and the entire cast of historical figures continue to resonate with new generations of fans.

The performance is a triumphant footnote in Wiedlin's career, showcasing her ability to be both a serious musician and a comedic actress. For many fans, Jane Wiedlin *is* Joan of Arc—a most non-bogus warrior who knew how to "party on" in the face of destiny.

The Excellent Adventure of Joan of Arc: What Happened to Jane Wiedlin's Historical Babe?
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